Dear today's teenagers:
Have you ever read the book of Proverbs? Maybe you have but, have you ever really read it? You know what I am talking about right, the thing you learn in 1st grade, and are tested on until you graduate High School, "reading comprehension?" It is the art of "understanding a text," meaning that you read a text in order to learn or glean something from it, not just to get it done.
Now that you understand what I am asking, I will repeat the question: Have you ever read the book of Proverbs? If you have, you probably noticed its increasingly foreign theme in today's teen world, your world... "Wisdom."
You know me I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE teens, so my sarcasm about the lack of wisdom in teens today is not a dig, but an observation. In fact, many teens today will not disagree with my observation, but laugh about it, crack jokes about it, and then do or say something to proudly display it. The truth is, for many of you reading this, lacking wisdom is fun, almost a goal for your day. I can tell, I read your Facebook posts.
Anyway, back to Proverbs. I was reading Proverbs chapter 13 today and felt compelled to share a few verses with you:
13:3- "Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."
13:5- "The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace."
13:16- "In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly."
13:21- "Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are reward with good."
It is one thing to act like a fool for a good laugh, but its is another entirely to act like a fool for so long that you actually become one. My dear friends (and you know if I am talking to you), do you not see what you are becoming? Do you not see that you have traded Godly Wisdom in for a few laughs, some popularity, and literally become a FOOL? Don't lie to yourself, you are not happy, your life is a mess!
I pray for you daily, and I BEG for you to open your eyes. Remember your first love, and the joy of living for your KING!
Read those verses I wrote out above, I mean read them. Are you really going to keep this up? Are you really happy being a fool? Was God's mercy, and grace that easy to trade in for what you have now?
Take heed of God's Word. I fear for you if you don't!
Your loving Youth Pastor,
-Mike
